Culture, health, function, and participation among American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth With disabilities: An exploratory qualitative analysis

Participating in cultural activities is important to the health of American Indian and Alaska Native children with disabilities

Fuentes, M., (2019). Culture, health, function, and participation among American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth With disabilities: An exploratory qualitative analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 100(9), 1688-1694.

Children environmental identity development in an Alaska native rural context

Rural Native children have a strong environmental identity promoted by their subsistence-based lifestyle

Green, C., (2017). Children environmental identity development in an Alaska native rural context. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49, 303–319 .

Harvesting good medicine: Internalizing and crystalizing core cultural values in young children

Children’s involvement in harvesting deepens their connection to cultural identity and values

Lunda, A., Green, C., (2020). Harvesting good medicine: Internalizing and crystalizing core cultural values in young children. Ecopsychology, 12(2)

Beyond two worlds: Identity narratives and the aspirational futures of Alaska Native youth

Inupiaq youth in the Alaskan Arctic face challenges navigating Indigenous and Western worlds which can impact how they view their future.

Trout, L., Wexler, L., Moses, J., (2018). Beyond two worlds: Identity narratives and the aspirational futures of Alaska Native youth. Transcultural Psychiatry, 55(6), 800-820.

Children’s play with a forest diorama as a window into ecological cognition

Diorama play is useful in understanding children’s ecological cognition and the role of Native American culture and expertise in play behavior

Washinawatok, K., Rasmussen, C., Bang, M., Medin, D., Woodring, J., Waxman, S., Marin, A., Gurneau, J., Faber, L., (2018). Children’s play with a forest diorama as a window into ecological cognition. Journal of Cognition and Development, 18(5), 617-632.

How might Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (ITEK) inform ecopsychology?

Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge may help ecopsychology play a more important role in addressing the global challenges of climate change

Coope, J., (2019). How might Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (ITEK) inform ecopsychology?. Ecopsychology, 11(3), 156-161.

Diversity in outdoor education: Discrepancies in SEL across a school overnight program

Implicit bias may influence assessment results of SEL in a multicultural group of students

Germinaro, K., Jones, J. M., (2021). Diversity in outdoor education: Discrepancies in SEL across a school overnight program. Journal of Experiential Education

Urban design and adolescent mental health: A qualitative examination of adolescent emotional responses to pedestrian- and transit-oriented design and cognitive architecture concepts

Adolescents express more positive emotional responses to natural vs. built design features in an urban environment

Buttazzoni, A., Dean, J., Minaker, L., (2022). Urban design and adolescent mental health: A qualitative examination of adolescent emotional responses to pedestrian- and transit-oriented design and cognitive architecture concepts. Health and Place, 76

Review: The impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions – a scoping review

More research is needed to understand the impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental wellbeing and emotions

Martin, G., Reilly, K., Everitt, H., Gilliland, J. A., (2022). Review: The impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions – a scoping review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27(1), 59-72.

Clinical Ecopsychology: The mental health impacts and underlying pathways of the climate and environmental crisis

Clinical Ecopsychology focuses on the mental health impacts and underlying pathways of ecological adversity

Thoma, M. V., Rohleder, N., Rohner, S. L., (2021). Clinical Ecopsychology: The mental health impacts and underlying pathways of the climate and environmental crisis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12

Adolescents’ thoughts and feelings about the local and global environment: A qualitative interview study

Adolescents report being engaged and emotionally affected by current environmental issues

Thompson, R., Fisher, H. L., Dewa, L. H., Hussain, T., Kabba, Z., Toledano, M. B., (2022). Adolescents’ thoughts and feelings about the local and global environment: A qualitative interview study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27(1), 4-13.

Climate change-related worry among Australian adolescents: an eight-year longitudinal study

Most adolescents experience climate worry, which can be constructively associated with societal engagement but can also be associated with greater depression

Sciberras, E., Fernando, J. W., (2022). Climate change-related worry among Australian adolescents: an eight-year longitudinal study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27(1), 22-29.

A Framework for Pediatric Health Care Providers to Promote Active Play in Nature for Children

Pediatric health care providers can play a larger role in encouraging play in nature to promote children’s health

Tandon, P.S., Hafferty, K., Kroshus, E., Angulo, A., Burton, M., Peyton, M., Senturia, K., (2022). A Framework for Pediatric Health Care Providers to Promote Active Play in Nature for Children. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 13, 1-9.

Challenges in measuring “connectedness to nature” among indigenous children: Lessons from the Negev Bedouin

A cultural adaptation model can be useful in developing questionnaires for specific populations

Sedawi, W., Assaraf, O. B. Z., Reiss, B. J., (2021). Challenges in measuring “connectedness to nature” among indigenous children: Lessons from the Negev Bedouin. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 16, 193–229.

Outdoor (anti-)play spaces and places: a qualitative study of Polish large city backyards seen from children’s perspective

Unsupervised, risky play in dangerous communities may pose hazards to children

Janik, A., (2022). Outdoor (anti-)play spaces and places: a qualitative study of Polish large city backyards seen from children’s perspective. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Restorative effects of exposure to nature on children and adolescents: A systematic review

Exposure to nature provides a wide range of restorative benefits to children and adolescents

Moll, A., Collado, S., Staats, H., Corraliza, J. A., (2022). Restorative effects of exposure to nature on children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 84

Indigenous nature connection: A 3-week intervention increased ecological attachment

Acting with intentional awareness of ecological entities may aid in a return to an Indigenous worldview

Kurth, A. M., Narvaez, D., Kohn, R., Bae, A., (2020). Indigenous nature connection: A 3-week intervention increased ecological attachment. Ecopsychology, 12(2)

Higher buccal mtDNA content is associated with residential surrounding green in a panel study of primary school children

Mitrochondria readings in primary children suggest that more green space during early life might promote health in later life

Hautekiet, P., Saenen, N. D., Aerts, R., Martens, D. S., Roels, H. A., Bijnens, E. M., Nawrot, N. S., (2022). Higher buccal mtDNA content is associated with residential surrounding green in a panel study of primary school children. Environmental Research, 213

The nature space. A reflexive thematic analysis of therapists' experiences of 1:1 nature-based counselling and psychotherapy with children and young people: Exploring perspectives on the influence of nature within the therapeutic process

More research is needed to understand whether nature-based therapy is effective, for whom and why

Lane, D., Reed, P., (2022). The nature space. A reflexive thematic analysis of therapists' experiences of 1:1 nature-based counselling and psychotherapy with children and young people: Exploring perspectives on the influence of nature within the therapeutic process. British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy

"I just want to stay out there all day”: A case study of two special educators and five autistic children learning outside at school

Contact with nature during the school day can benefit both students with autism and their teachers

Friedman, S., Morrison, S. A., (2022). "I just want to stay out there all day”: A case study of two special educators and five autistic children learning outside at school. Frontiers in Education, 6

‘A new adventure’: A case study of autistic children at Forest School

Children with autism experience benefits and challenges during Forest School sessions

Friedman, S., Gibson, J., Jones, C., Hughes, C., (2022). ‘A new adventure’: A case study of autistic children at Forest School. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Trauma-Informed nature therapy: A case study

Nature therapy can promote resiliency and trauma recovery in children

Fisher, C., (2022). Trauma-Informed nature therapy: A case study. Ecopsychology

The impacts of nature connectedness on children’s well-being: Systematic literature review

Children’s nature connectedness and well-being are positively related

Arola, T., Aulake, M., Ott, A., Lindholm, M., Kouvonen, P., Virtanen, P., Paloniemi, R., (2023). The impacts of nature connectedness on children’s well-being: Systematic literature review. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 85

Improving children’s emotional health through installing biowalls in classrooms

Biowalls in classrooms can promote the emotional health of young children

Lee, A., Kim, H., Kwoon, H. J., Kim, S., Park, S., (2021). Improving children’s emotional health through installing biowalls in classrooms. Journal of People, Plants, and Environment, 24(1), 29-38.

“You don’t wanna teach little kids about climate change”: Beliefs and barriers to sustainability education in early childhood

Sustainability education at nature-based preschools in the United States is limited

Ginsburg, J.L., Audley, S., (2020). “You don’t wanna teach little kids about climate change”: Beliefs and barriers to sustainability education in early childhood. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(3), 42-60.

Tracking education for sustainable development in ECEC institutions’ annual plans

Early childhood teachers in Norway foster respect for the environment but do not address the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development

Meland, A. T., (2022). Tracking education for sustainable development in ECEC institutions’ annual plans. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 30(5 ), 791-805.

Preschool children’s agency in education for sustainability: The case of Sweden

The preschool curriculum in Sweden reflects children’s agency in education for sustainability

Borg, F., Samuelsson, I. P., (2022). Preschool children’s agency in education for sustainability: The case of Sweden. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 30(1), 147-163.

Affordances of small animals for young children: A path to environmental values of care

Affordances of small animals may promote sustainability goals for young children

Lerstrup, I., Chawla, L., Heft, H., (2021). Affordances of small animals for young children: A path to environmental values of care. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 9(1), 58-76.

Culturally inclusive early childhood education for sustainability: A comparative document analysis between Australian and Korean curricula

Cultural characteristics of different countries influence their understanding of sustainability

Kim, S., Dreamson, N., (2020). Culturally inclusive early childhood education for sustainability: A comparative document analysis between Australian and Korean curricula. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 28(5), 712-730.

Effects of nature (greenspace) on cognitive functioning in school children and adolescents: a systematic review

Exposure to nature can enhance cognitive functioning in children and adolescents

Vella-Brodrick, D. A., Gilowska, K., (2022). Effects of nature (greenspace) on cognitive functioning in school children and adolescents: a systematic review. Educational Psychology Review, 34, 1217-1254.

A systematic review of mechanisms underpinning psychological change following nature exposure in an adolescent population

Nature has a positive impact on the mental health of adolescents, but little is known about why

Rowley, M., Topciu, R., Owens, M., (2022). A systematic review of mechanisms underpinning psychological change following nature exposure in an adolescent population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19)

Staff perspectives on the targeted incorporation of nature-based interventions for children and youth at a residential treatment facility

Nature-based interventions are most effective when alignment of intervention qualities, context and the child’s needs are considered in choosing therapeutic approaches

Gandenberger, J., Motiff, M., Flynn, E., Morris, K. N., (2022). Staff perspectives on the targeted incorporation of nature-based interventions for children and youth at a residential treatment facility. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 40(1), 67-86.

Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: a scoping review

Nature-based interventions can have a positive impact on the psychological and behavioral health of vulnerable adolescents

Overbey, T. A., Diekmann, F., Lekies, K. S., (2023). Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 33(1), 15-53.

A qualitative study of parental strategies to enable pre-school children’s outdoor and nature experiences during COVID-19 restrictions

Parenting strategies increased young children’s opportunities to experience nature and play outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Martin, A., Clarke, J., Johnstone, A., McCrorie, P., Langford, R., Simpson, S. A., Kipping, R., (2023). A qualitative study of parental strategies to enable pre-school children’s outdoor and nature experiences during COVID-19 restrictions. Health & Place, 79

Environmental qualities that enhance outdoor play in community playgrounds from the perspective of children with and without disabilities: A scoping review

Children of all abilities want playgrounds that are welcoming, safe, aesthetically pleasing, and that provide opportunities for fun

Morgenthaler, T., Schulze, C., Pentland, D., Lynch, H., (2023). Environmental qualities that enhance outdoor play in community playgrounds from the perspective of children with and without disabilities: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20

School greenspace is associated with enhanced benefits of academic interventions on annual reading improvement for children of color in California

School greenspace may bolster the effects of instructional interventions for students with high academic support needs

Rahai, R., Wells, N. M., Evans, G. W., (2023). School greenspace is associated with enhanced benefits of academic interventions on annual reading improvement for children of color in California. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 83

Revealing the research ‘hole’ of early childhood education for sustainability: A preliminary survey of the literature

Research on education for sustainable development has generally not included early childhood

Davis, J., (2009). Revealing the research ‘hole’ of early childhood education for sustainability: A preliminary survey of the literature. Environmental Education Research, 15(2), 227-241.

The autonomy-authority duality of shared decision-making in youth environmental action

Educators find that achieving a suitable balance between autonomy and authority in youth action projects is challenging

Schusler, T.M., Krasny, M.E., Decker, D.J., (2017). The autonomy-authority duality of shared decision-making in youth environmental action. Environmental Education Research, 23(4), 533-552.

A theory of engagement for fostering collective action in Youth Leading Environmental Change

The YLEC theory of engagement reflects the existing knowledge on youth engagement

Hickman, G., Riemer, M., YLEC Collaborative, (2016). A theory of engagement for fostering collective action in Youth Leading Environmental Change. Ecopsychology, 8(3), 167-173.

How participatory processes impact children and contribute to planning: A case study of neighborhood design from Boulder, Colorado, USA

Participatory planning can have significant positive impacts on young people while also contributing valuable ideas to the planning processes

Derr, V., Kovács, I. G., (2017). How participatory processes impact children and contribute to planning: A case study of neighborhood design from Boulder, Colorado, USA. Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, 10(1), 29-48.

Beyond the ‘usual suspects’? Engaging children in diverse communities in co-producing an arboretum-meadow: Professional partner perspectives

Engaging children in the co-production of nature-based solutions can foster their connections to nature

Hoyle, H., Cottrill, W., (2023). Beyond the ‘usual suspects’? Engaging children in diverse communities in co-producing an arboretum-meadow: Professional partner perspectives. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 79

The effect of exposure to nature on children’s psychological well-being: A systematic review of the literature

Future research should investigate the association between the quality of natural environments and children’s long-term psychological well-being

Liu, J., Green, R. J., (2023). The effect of exposure to nature on children’s psychological well-being: A systematic review of the literature. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 81

The teacher’s role for engagement in foraging and gardening activities in kindergarten

Early childhood educators nurture young children’s enthusiasm for learning in nature

Bergan, V., Nylund, M. B., Midtbø, I. L., Paulsen, B. H. L., (2023). The teacher’s role for engagement in foraging and gardening activities in kindergarten. Environmental Education Research

The effect of different combinations of physical activity and natural environment videos on children’s attention levels between class breaks

Viewing nature through virtual reality can be combined with physical activity to improve young children’s attention

Luo, X., Tao, M., Lu, J., Lu, L., He, X., (2023). The effect of different combinations of physical activity and natural environment videos on children’s attention levels between class breaks. BMC Pediatrics, 23(60)

Outdoor nature-based play in early learning and childcare centres: Identifying the determinants of implementation using causal loop diagrams and social network analysis

Educator confidence and agency, along with other key leveraging points, are crucial for optimal implementation of nature-based play

Zucca, C., McCrorie, P., Johnstone, A., Chambers, S., Chng, N. R., Traynor, O., Martin, A., (2023). Outdoor nature-based play in early learning and childcare centres: Identifying the determinants of implementation using causal loop diagrams and social network analysis. Health and Place, 79

Heat-resilient schoolyards: Relations between temperature, shade, and physical activity of children during recess

More tree canopy in children’s play area is associated with more moderate to vigorous physical activity

Lanza, K., Alcazar, M., Durand, C. P., Salvo, D., Villa, U., Kohl III, H. W., (2023). Heat-resilient schoolyards: Relations between temperature, shade, and physical activity of children during recess. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 20, 134-141.

Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children

Children with a strong connection to nature have higher social emotional learning skills than those with a weaker connection to nature

Lanza, K., Alcazar, M., Chen, B., Kohl III, H. W., (2023). Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 4

Nature-based early childhood activities as environmental education?: A review of Japanese and Australian perspectives

Guidelines and practices for nature-based activities with young children tend to lack a comprehensive approach to early childhood education for sustainability

Inoue, M., Elliott, S., Mitsuhashi, M., Kido, H., (2019). Nature-based early childhood activities as environmental education?: A review of Japanese and Australian perspectives. Japanese Journal of Environmental Education, 28(4)

‘Becoming-with bees’: Generating affect and response-abilities with the dying bees in early childhood education

A theatrical performance could be an effective tool for addressing sustainability issues in early childhood

Weldemariam, K., (2020). ‘Becoming-with bees’: Generating affect and response-abilities with the dying bees in early childhood education. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 41(3), 391-406.

A nature’s way—Our way pilot project case assemblage: (Re)storying child/physical literacy/land relationships for Indigenous preschool-aged children’s wholistic wellness

Cultural connections can play an important role in the wholistic wellness of Indigenous children

Riley, K., Chow, A. F., Wahpepah, K., Houser, N., Brussoni, M., Stevenson, E., Erlandson, M. C., Humbert, M. L., (2023). A nature’s way—Our way pilot project case assemblage: (Re)storying child/physical literacy/land relationships for Indigenous preschool-aged children’s wholistic wellness. Children, 10(3)